Link conveyer



Dec. 29, 1931. N. wooDMAN4 1,839,071

- v LINK coNvEYER Filed Nov. 15, 1930 lllllli 5. i .-e I l ll l l l m s 1 i l I l Il 4.1"? z 42 I @Il Patented Dec. 29, 17931` Y U'NlTEn v`srA'i'rE :s

PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS NrwooDMAN, or'wononsrnn, MASSACHUSETTS Y `LINK ooNvEYnn,

Application filed Novemlier 15, 1930.A *Serial No. 495,939.

This invention relates to a beltparticularly designed for the transportation of materials or machine parts in industrial or commercial operations. l, f

It is the general object of -my invention to provide a belt for such purposes which isV behereinafter describedv and more particu` larly pointed out inthe appended claims.

Preferred forms `0f vthe invention are shown in the drawings, in which Fig. V1 is a plan view yof a portion offone form of my improved belt; Fig. 2 is aside elevationthereof; i Fig. 3 is a: plan view of vone of the links Figfe is a side elevationl thereof, looking inthe direction ofthe arrow 4in Fig. 3; s

Fig.V 5 is a plan View of'a portion of belt provided with side flanges v Fig. Gis a detail sectional view,'taken along the line 6-6 in Fig.` 5 ;v f VFigui' is a side elevation, looking the direction of the arrowr? in Fig.`6; Y

Fig. 8 is a plan viewv of a portion of a modified belt construction, and Y Figs. 9 and 10 are similar views of further 5 modifications.` j v Referring particularly to Figs. 1 .to 4.-, my improved belt comprises a plurality of sheet metal links 10 joined together by hingedpins 11. Each link10 comprises la longitudinally extending portion 12, .transversely extending portions 13 and end portions 14.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the link is substantially C-shaped in plan, with the end portions 14 projecting toward each other and each extending part Way toward the longitudinal center ofthe link.

'Holes 15 are provided for the hinge-pins 11, these holes being of such diameter that the'pins'll fit loosely in the holes 15. Lugs the hinge-pin. Each link directly engages 7 sion.

17 are `formed on the innerfaces of the end portions 13 for a purpose to be described. The extreme end surfaces 2O of the end portions -14 are formed convex andl are preferably substantially vsemi-cylindrical. Each link constitutes a single piece of metal and may be made in the form of a casting orV may be formed by bending a stripof sheet metal.

In the latter case, the lugs 17 may be formed by inwardly offsetting portions of the sheet metal, asclearly shown in Fig. 4.4

l/Vhen the links are assembled, as shown in F ig; 1,'the end surfaces 20 'of one link have bearing engagement `with the inner surfaces of the transverse portions 13 ofthe longitudi nally adjacent links'. `The parts are so proportioned that when thus assembled the holes 15 in'snc'c'essive links'are aligned with each .other to loosely receive theY hinge-pins 11. l

" The longitudinal tension of the belt istaken between the end surfaces 20 andthe trans-` verse link portions 13. This gives a bearing surface'm'uch increased over a construction in which the end tension is taken directly on its longitudinally adjacentlinks, independently of the hinge-pins, and this engagement permits relative rocking movement of the links, as indicated in Fig. 2, without disen 'gagement of the bearing surfaces. Such a conveyer belt hasv been found exceptionally well adapted for'use under heavy load conditions. A j

Y TheV lugs 17 are provided to prevent lateral displacement of the end portions '141 under excessive load. .'Ihese lugs holdthe several parts Vofitheuli-nk in` such alignment that they are bestadaptedto resist longitudinal ten- Fiach'alternate link along each outer edge of the belt has an` open outer side. 'These openingsv are preferably closed by special edge linkslh'which are shown of double thickness so` as to provide ample bearing surfaces for the hinge-pins. 9i

It is l"sometimesdesirable to pro-vide side flanges on fa link conveyer belt and inV such cases I providev widenedV side links30, as shown inFigsQ to 7. These links are of single .thicknessfand are provided between each two adjacent hinge-pins along the entire edge of the belt, so that a continuous flange may be formed.

A slightly diil'erent form of the invention is shown in Fig. 8, in'which' the links 40 are S-shaped in plan, With the transverse mem bers 4l and a2 extending in opposite directions, and in which the longitudinal members are provided With diagonally disposed middle portions 43.

In this case it is desirable to provide edge links along the entire length of the belt, as a V-shaped opening 44 occurs for every outside link 40. The edge links 45 used Ywith this construction are preferably offset between their end portions, as indicated in Fig. 8. Otherwise the construction and operation of this form of' belt is the same 'as that shown in Fig. 1.

In Ilig. 9, I have shown a variation in the arrangement of the link of the belt shown in Fig. l. In Fig. 9 the links are reversely disposed in pairs with their longitudinal members adjacent and back to back. lThe product is very similar to that shown in Fig. l, but the openings in the belt are of dierent sizes and dilierently disposed.

In Fig, l() I have shown a construction in which the side portions of each pair of longitudinally adjacent links 50 are in closely adjacent relation, and in which spacing collars 5l may be used to transversely separate different pairs of links. The tension between the links in this form is more directly applied and fthe construction is desirable for heavy duty under heat,

Having thus described Iny invention and the advantages thereof, I do not Wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is l. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a series of hinge-pins by which said links are assembled, each link having a. longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having its extreme end surface having bearing engagement With an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link.

2. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a series of hinge-pins by which said links are assembled,` each link having a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion extending toward the longitudinal center of Vthe link and engaging an inner end surface of a longitudinally adjacent link, said transverse portions being provided with inwardly extending lugs preventing lateral displacement of said end portions. i

3. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a series of hinge-pins by which said links are assembled, each link being formed of a single piece of metal and having a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion extending part way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having an end surface having bearing engagement with an inner surface of one of the transverse portions 4of a longitudinallyV adjacent link.

1l. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a series of hinge-pins by which said links are assembled, each link being formed of a single strip of sheet metal bent to provide a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having an end surface having bearing engagement with an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link.

5. A link conveyer belt comprising a plu-. rality of links and a series of hinge-pins by which said links are assembled, each link llaving a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having its eX- treme end surface conveXly shaped and having bearingengageinent with an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link,

6. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a series of hinge-pins by ivhich'saidlinks are assembled, each link having a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal center ofthe link, and each end portion having its extreme end surface formed substantially semicylindrical and .having bearing engagement With an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link.

7. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a series of hinge-pins 'by which said links are assembled, each link being substantially C-shaped in plan and comprising longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having an end portion eXtending part Way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having a convex end surface having bearing engagement with an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link.

8. A link conveyer belt comprising a plurality of links and a` series of hinge-pins by Which said links are assembled, each link being substantially S-shaped in plan and comprising a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse Yportion having an end portion eX-v tending part Way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each. end portion having a convex end surface having bearing engagement With an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link. L

9. As an article of manufacture, a metal link for a conveyer belt comprising a single piece of metal having a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, and each transverse portion having anl end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal center ofthe link, and each end portion having a convex end surface having bearing engagement With an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link.

10. As an article of manufacture, a metal link for a conveyer belt comprising a single substantially C-shaped piece of metal having a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, each transverse portion having an end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having a Vconvex end surface having bearing engagement with an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a longitudinally adjacent link, and each transverse portion having an invvard projection adapted to restrain lateral displacement of an end portion of said adjacent link. y

l1. As an article of manufacture, a metal link for a conveyer belt comprising a single substantially S-shaped piec-e o f metal having a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transverse portions, each transverse portion having an end portionV extending part VWay toward the longitudinal center of the link, and each end portion having a convex end surface having bearing engagement with an inner surface of one of the transverse porx tions of a longitudinally adjacent link, and

leach transverse portion having an inward` projection adapted to restrain lateral displacement of an end portion of said adjacent link.

l2. As an article of manufacture, a metal link for a conveyer belt comprising a single strip of sheet metal bent to provide a longitudinal portion joined at its ends to transg verse portions, each transverse portion having an end portion extending part Way toward the longitudinal centerof the link, and each end portion having a substantially semicylindrical end surface having bearing engagement With an inner surface of one of the transverse portions of a' longitudinally adj acent link. l

13. The combination in a link conveyer belt as set forth in Claim l, in Which all side portions of a longitudinally adjacent pair ofV FRANCIS N. WOODMAN. 

